VISCOM works with University and community partners to screen film during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

During Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the School of Visual Communication (VISCOM) is partnering with Alden Library and the Athens City Commission on Disabilities to present a public screening of a documentary film called "The Ride Ahead: Love, Tattoos, and Other Disabled Things." The film was co-created by a father and son team and tells the story of Samuel Habib, a 21-year-old with a disability, itching to move out, start a career, and find love. A community of disability activists try to help Habib follow his dreams.

“We are very excited to present this film,” said VISCOM Associate Professor of Instruction Josh Birnbaum. “I hope that viewers come away with a deeper understanding of the complex experiences of individuals with disabilities and how disability activism and storytelling plays a part in progress for all.”

The community engagement partnership to present the film at Ohio University came about after a member of the City of Athens’ Commission on Disabilities reached out to Birnbaum.

“I thought it was a great idea,” said Birnbaum. “The film seemed to be a great vehicle for fostering discussion at a critical time — as accessibility in Athens is being scrutinized — and would bring together diverse communities of students of photojournalism, documentary, and media with community members and individuals with disabilities.”

The screening will be held at the Baker Center Theater on Wednesday, March 19, at 7 p.m. It’s open to all and admission is free. Registration is not required but individuals can do here so if they would like to request accommodations for the event.

“The film is getting a lot of attention in media and at film festivals. This cross-disciplinary hosting of the screening will bring students from art, media and communication together with community members to foster discussion around disability and access in southeast Ohio and also build bridges between university and community,” said Birnbaum. “The dual authorship of the film — father and son, able-bodied and disabled — offers viewers perspectives that can help to build a more nuanced narrative, as well as more empathy in the audience.”

Birnbaum believes that all who attend will learn a lot from the film, but he knows that VISCOM students will also be exposed more deeply to the power of storytelling.

To learn more about the film, you can watch its trailer here.